of monroe



Feb. 8, 1927;

H. T. TAYLOR GREASE GUN v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 15, 1926 H. TAYLOR GREASE GUN Filed March 15, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. T. TAYLOR GREASE GUN Feb. a, 192% Filed March 15. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ULILILJUU Patented Feb. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY T. TAYLOR, OF MONROE, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR TO TAYLOR-JOHNSTON MANU- FAGTURING COMPANY, OF MONROE, LOUISIANA, A CORPORATION OF LOUISIANA.

GREASE GUN.

Application filed March 15. 1926. Serial No. 94.916.

This invention is a novel improvement in grease guns and the like, and the principal object thereof is to provide a simple, novel, and efiicient portable grease gun embodying b certain novel features of construction and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth, said gun being capable of delivering lubricant under high pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel piston construction, and means for operating same, whereby when the gun has been filled with lubricant the lubricant can be readily given an initial pressure suflicient for immediate use without manipulating the piston rod.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient or yieldable connection between the piston and its piston rod, and

means for automatically locking the piston to.

the end of the piston rod when the yielding means have been compressed its maximum extent, novel means being also provided for releasing said locking means.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel reversible ratchet means for advancing and retracting the piston on each Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will. explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof to enable others to adopt and use the same, and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my novel grease gun.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof (fora shortened).

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the cylinder showing the piston and piston rod. in unlocked relation.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, but

showing the piston and piston rod in locked relation.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5, Fig. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6'6, Fig. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7'(', Fig.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the ratchet wheel end of the cylinveg ie der, and also showing inlsection the piston arrangement.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of'the end of the cylinder shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a detail section.

As shown, the grease gun preferably comprises a cylinder 1, of suitable length and diameter, having an outlet head 2 threaded thereon at one end, and a head 3 threaded thereon at the other end, through which head 3 the piston rod 4 extends, said piston rod being threaded for substantially its entire length as shown in Figs. 8 and 4, and adapted to actuate the piston 5 within the cylinder, which piston has a yielding telescopic connection with the end of rod 4, as

hereinafter described.

pipe or hose 2 carrying at its outer end a grease gun connector.

Head 3 is provided with a centrally disposed hole 3 of diameter slightly larger than that of the piston rod 4, to permit rod 4 to readily pass therethrough, and surrounding hole 3 is an exterior annular flange 3 adapted to form a bearing for a ratchet wheel 6.

Ratchet wheel 6 is provided with a tapped bore 6 adapted to receive the threaded piston rod 4, said wheel 6 being also provided with an axially dispose-d annular flange 6 on its end adjacent the head 3, said flange 6 being adapted to fit over flange 3 of head 3 and center the ratchet wheel. on head 3. At the other end of wheel 6 is an axial extension 6 through which the tapped bore 6 extends, the outer end of extension 6 engaging a ball thrust bearing 7 loosely mounted on the piston rod 4.

The outer end of piston rod 4 is supported by a fixed bearing 8, having an axial bore 8 of slightly larger diameter than that of rod 4 to permit the rod to pass therethrough, bearing 8 being supported by diametrically disposed arms 8 extending from a split collar 8 which is clamped around the cylinder 1 adjacent head 3, and tightened thereon by bolt 8 Bearing 8 carries a key 8 adapted to engage a longitudinally disposed keyway l in the piston rod to prevent rotation of said rod, while permitting longitudinal movement thereof with respect to bearing 8 and head 3.

Interposed between the fixed be ring and the ball thrust bearing '7, or rod 1 [S i a bearing collar 9 adapted to maintain th ratchet wheel 6 in proper position again; the bearing flange 3" of head 3, whereby as the ratchet wheel is rotated the piston rod 4 will be advanced into, or retracted from, the cylinder'l.

The means for rotating ratchet wheel comprises an L-shaped member 10, pivoted as at l0 between ears 8 formed on one of the arms 8" opposite the ratchet wheel 6. The other end of member 10 is connected with a handle bar 10" whereby member 1Q may be rocked on its pivot. Pivotally connected to the member 10 is an arm extending over the ratchet wheel, the outer end of which carries a pawl 11 adapted to contact with the teeth 6 of wheel 6.

Preferably the outer end of arm 10 is provided with a non-circular recess 10 (Fig. 10) in its under side, into which the correspondingly shaped body portion 11 of pawl 11 fits, and a threaded extension 11 of part- 11 extends up through a perforation at the top of recess 10. A nut 11 maintains the pawl 11 in recess 10. Preferably one face of pawl 11 is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis thereof, while the op posite face is formed oblique thereto, as at li for permitting the pawl to slide over the ratchet teeth (3 By the above arrange ment. the pawl 11 may be reversed in arm 10" to rotate ratchet wheel 6 in either direetion, the teeth 6 of said wheel being substantially straight sided as shown in Fig.

iston 5 is adapted to make a tight sliding fit within the cylinder 1. At the front side of piston 5 is an annular l -snaped pacl-: ing 5 contacting with the walls of the cylinder, and secured to the piston 5 by means of a ring 5 bolted or screwed to the end of piston 5, the periphery of ring 5" pressing the packing 5* against the walls of the cylinder. A split piston ring 5 housed in an annular recess 5 in the periphery of ring 5" causes the packing 5 to contact tightly with the walls of the cylinder, said piston ring 5 being expanded by means of springs 5 housed in radially disposed bores o (Fig 7) in ring member 5' and pressing against the inner face of the piston ring 5.

Extending from the opposite side of piston 5 is an axially disposed tubular extension 5 adapted to telescope the inner end of piston rod A transverse pin a lying; close adjacent the end of rod 4, engaging an elongated slot 5 in the extension 5?, limit such telescoping movement and moreover rotatorial movement of piston 5 with respect to plate -l. (En piston rod a, within the cylinder l, and adjacent the end of extension is a fixed plate l, having diametrically rsed openings r therein. A strongcoil op; 12 interposed between piston 5 and ate 4. normally tends to separate said embers, shown in Figs. 3 and 8. Latch means are provided for locking piston to plate is when spring 12 has been its inaxin'ium extent, said means diametrically disposed levers 5 to the extension 5 within the 'ing 12, said levers 5 beingpivoted on k 5 adjacent the piston 5, the outer ends of said levers being hooked as at 5, and being disposed in line with the openings i of plate r. Springs 5 normally urge the hooked ends of levers 5 towards the axis of rod el, pins 5" on levers 5 adjacent their outer ends engaging slotted {.t'nides onthe end of extension serv- 4 j to guide the ends of lever 5 and to'liinit e pivoting movements thereof. ldhen to t has been adva ced toward piston 1 rotating ratchet wheel 6, until spring 2 is fully compressed the ends of latch levers 5 will enter the openings '4? in plate 4-,. as shown in 4, and lock same toe'ether. until released as hereinafter ex plained.

The means for releasing the latch levers 5 to unlock piston 5 from plate a, comprises a collar l slidably mounted on the rod 5 adjacent the plate a and the outer hooked end 5 of latch levers 5 A pin 4, having an enlarged central portion d passes diametrically through collar at and slides in diametrically opposite slots ell in piston rod -.l-. Piston rod 4 is provided with an axial bore Tl housing a screw shaft 42 which pa es through a tapped bore in the enlarged ce tral portion l of pin l whereby as shaft 4 is rotated collar 4L will be moved axially of rod -l. Shaft 4. extends through the 'er end of piston rod 4: and is provided with a hand wheel 13 for rotating the shaft. Flnitahle means l may be provided for preventing lo itudinal or axial movementof shaft v nin r 'od a while permitting 1o tatorial motion therein.

AS shown in Fig. l, when the latch levers 5 are engaged with the openings 4 of plate 4 to lock piston 5 to said plate, in order release the latch-levers hand wheel l3 should be rotated to advance collar 4 towards the hooked ends 5 of levers 5 and the collar fil acting as a cam will force the outer en 1, of levers 5 apart permit-tine same to slipthrough openings at. Collar l should then be retracted to permit the comprising latch levers to relock when spring 12 has again been sufliciently compressed.

Means are also provided for indicating the amount of lubricant used on each particular job, .said means comprising a graduated tape l l adapted to wind upon a selfwinding roller 142 mounted in a housing 3 extending from the top of head 3, said housing being open at the top, or having a transparent plate at the top. Tape 14; may unwind from roller 14 and is passed. over idler rollers Ll and ll at the top of said housing 8 whereby the graduations on the tape will be visible from the top of the housing, tape 14 further running over an idler roller le in housing 3 opposite one of the openings 46 in plate 45. The outer end of tape 14 is passed through said opening 4 and is attached to the end 5 of the respective latch lever 45, whereby the tape will be Shifted by and with the movement of the piston 5. The top of easing 3 may be provided with an index mark as shown in Fig. 6, and by subtracting the readings of the tape before and after greasing the amount of lubricant used on any particular job may be readily ascertained.

For convenience in moving the grease gun around. I preferably mount the cylinder 1 horizontally on a truck of any suitable kind, the truck shown in the drawing comprising a wheeled rear axle 15 surrounding the rear end of the grease gun by means of upright bars 16 boltedto the axle 15 and to the under side of the arms 8. The front end of the cylinder 1 is supported on an upright 17 formed by bending a metal strap around the cylinder 1, the ends of the strap depending from the central portion of the under side of the cylinder and being 'pivotally connected at their lower ends to the center of a front wheeled axle 18, having a usual tongue 19. Preferably the rear axle 15 is braced by means of diagonally dis-posed bars 20 extending from the lower ends of uprights 16 to the upper end of upright 17 immediately below the cylinder 1, as shown in Fig. 1.

In operation. when valve 2 is open lubricant may be withdrawn from pipe 2, and as the pressure of the lubricant in the cylinder 1. falls, by turning ratchet wheel 6 a few notche manipulating handle 10", the piston rod 4. and piston 5 will be advanced in the cylinder 1 to build up the pressure of the lu bricant to the desired amount. spring 12 con'lpres-sing or yielding according to the pressure of the lubricant resisting the ad vance of the piston. hen piston 5 has been advanced to meet the outlethead 2 and can advance no further. further rotation of ratchet wheel 6 will advance plate 4 towards the piston 5 further compressing spring 12 until. latch levers 5 look in openings l of plate 4. Ratchet wheel 6 should then be rotated in the opposite direction,

by reversing the pawl 11 in its socket 10, (as hereinbel'ore explained) to retract the piston 5 and plate 4, while locked together, to the opposite end of cylinder 1, or into position shown in Fig. 4. Plug 2 may then be removed, and the cylinder filled with lubricant, and plug 2 replaced, and valve 2 closed.

In order to give the lubricant in the cylinder an initial pressure, hand wheel 13 should be rotated, advancing collar 43 to release the latch levers 5 whereupon the spring 12 will move piston 5 outwardly building up pressure in the cylinder Without manipulating ratchet wheel 6 or piston rod 41.. The reading of the tape 14 opposite the index mark on casing 3 when piston 5 has come to rest will then be the zero read 'ing for such filling.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a cylinder; a piston rod; a member on said rod within the cylinder; a piston in said cylinder; resilient means interposed between said piston and member; and atch means for automatically locking the piston to said member when the resilient means is compressed.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1. said latch means comprising a latch lever pivoted on said piston, the outer end of said lever being adapted to engage said member; and means for yieldingly urging the outer end of said lever toward the axis of said cylinder.

3. In combination a cylinder; apiston rod; a member on said rod within the cylinder; a piston in said cylinder; resilient means i11- terposed between said piston and member; latch means forautomatically locking the piston to said member when the resilient means has been compressed; and means for releasing said latch means.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3. said member having an opening therein; and said latch means comprising a latch lever pivoted on said piston, the outer end of said lever being disposed in alignment with said opening; and means for yieldingly drawing the outer end of said lever toward the axis of said cylinder.

In a grease gun, a cylinder; a piston rod; means for advancing said piston rod; a member on said rod within the cylinder: a piston in said cylinder: resilient means interposed between said piston and member; latch means for automatically locking the piston to said member when the resilient means has been compressed its maximum extent; and means for releasing said latch means.

6. In a grease gun as set forth in claim 5,

"said piston rod being threaded; means for preventing rotation of said rod while permitting axial movement thereof; and said means for ad *ancingthe piston rod comprising a ratchet wheel having a tapped bore mounted on said rod; a lever pivoted on said gun; an arm pivoted on said lever, and overlying the ratchet wheel, said arm having a noncircular recess therein; and a reversible pawl mounted in said recess and engaging the ratchet wheel.

7. in a grease gun as set forth in claim said member having an opening therein; andsaid latch means comprising a latch lever pivoted on said piston the hooked end of said lever being disposed in alignment with said opening; and means for yieldingly drawing the outer end of said lever towards the axis of said cylinder.

8. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 5, means for registering the amount of grease discharged from said gun, comprising a housing having an opening and an index mark at said opening; a self-winding roller mounted in said lionsing; and a graduatedtape wound on said roller; the outer end of said tape being. connected to said piston; and a portion of the tape being visible through the opening.

9. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim a ring member bolted toithe front side of said piston an L-shaped annular packing interposed between the ring and piston, said ring having an annular peripheral groove; a piston ring in said groove; a plurality of radially disposed bores in said ring member communicating with said groove; and springs in said bores adapted to expand the piston ring.

10. In a grease gun, a cylinder; a piston rod; a member on said rod within the cylinder; a piston in said cylinder; resilient means interposed between said piston and member; a latch lever pivoted on said piston the outer end of said lever being adapted to engage said member; means for yield ingly drawing the outer end of said lever towards the axis of said cylinder whereby when the resilient means is compressed the piston will be. locked to said member; and means for releasing said locking'means.

11. In a grease gun as set forth in claim 10 said releasing means comprising a collar slidably engaging said piston rod adjacent the end of said lever; and means fora-dvancing the collar on said shaft.

152. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 10, means for registering the amount of grease discharged from said gun, comprising a housing having an opening and an index mark at said opening; a self-winding roller mounted in said housing; and a graduated tape wound on'said roller, the free end of said tape being connected to said piston; and a portion of the tape being visible through the opening.

13. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 10 a ring member bolted to the front side of said piston; an L-shaped annular packing interposed between the ring and piston; said ring having an annular peripheral groove;,a piston ring in said groove; a plurality of radially disposed bores in said ring member communicating with said annular groove; and springs in said bores adapted to expand the piston ring.

H. In a grease gun, a cylinder, a piston red, a member on said rod within the cylinder; said member having anopening therein; a piston in said cylinder; resilient means interposed between said piston and men1- ber; a latch lever pivoted on said piston; the outer end of said lever being disposed in alignment withv said opening; means for yieldingly drawing the outer end of said lever towards the axis of said cylinder; whereby when the resilient means have been compresseo the piston will be locked to said member; a collar slidably engaging said pis ton rod adjacent the end of said lever; and means for advancing the collar on said rod.

15. In a grease gun as set forth in claim it, said piston rod being tubular; and having diametrically disposed slots therein in way of said collar; and said means for moving the collar comprising a pin having an enlarged central portion transfixing said collar and engaging said slots; the central portion of the pin having a tapped bore therein; a screw shaft housed in the bore of the piston rod and engaging the tapped bore of the pin; means for rotating said screw shaft.

16. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 14 means for registering the amount of grease discharged from said gun, comprising a housing having an opening and an index mark at said opening; a self-winding roller mounted in said housing; and a graduated tape wound on said roller, the free end of said tape. being connected to said piston; and a portion of the tape being visible through the opening.

17. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 14:, a ring member bolted to the front side of said piston: an L-shaped annular 1 aching interposed between the ring and piston; said ring having an annular peripheral greove: a split piston ring in said groove; '21 yflurality of radially disposed bores in said ring member communieating with said annular groove; and springs in said bores adapted to expand the piston ring. 7

18. In a grease gun a cylinder; a piston rod; means for advancing said piston rod; a plate fixed on said rod within the cylinder said locking means.

19. In a grease gun as set forth in claim 18, said piston rod being threaded; means for preventing rotation of said rod; and said means for advancingthe piston rod comprising a ratchet wheel. having a tapped bore mounted on said rod; a bearing on the. end of said cylinder for said ratchet wheel;

a second bearing for supporting the outer endiof said rod; a ball thrust bearing interposed between said ratchet wheel and said second bearing; a lever pivoted opposite the ratchet wheel; and an arm pivoted on said lever and overlying the ratchet wheel, said arm having a non-circular bore in its outer end; and a reversible pawl mounted in said bore and engaging the ratchet wheel.

20. In a grease gun as set forth in claim 18, said releasing means comprising a collar slidably engaging said piston rod adjacent the ends of said latch levers; and means for advancing the collar on said shaft.

. 21. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 18, means for registering the amount of grease discharge from said gun, comprising a housing having an opening, and an index marl: at said opening, a self-winding roller mounted in said housing; and a graduated tape wound on said roller and passing over suitably disposed rollers opposite said opening, the free end of said tape being connected to said piston; and a portion of the tape being visible through the openin 22. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 18, a ring member bolted to the front side of said piston; an L-shaped annular packing interposed between the ring and piston andhaving its peripheral portion lying intermediate the cylinder and ring; said ring having an annular peripheral groove; a split piston ring in said groove; a plurality of radially disposed bores in said ring member communicating with said annular groove; and springs in said bores adapted to expand the piston ring.

23. In a grease gun, a cylinder, a piston rod, means for advancing said piston rod; a fixed plate on said rod within the cylinder and having a plurality of openings therein; a piston in said cylinder; resilient means in terposed between said piston and plate; a plurality of latch levers pivoted on said piston, the outer hooked ends of said levers being disposed in alignment with their respective openings; means for yiel'dingly drawing the outer ends of said levers towards the axis of said cylinder, whereby when said levers enter said openings the piston and plate will be locked together; a collar slidably mounted on said piston rod adjacent the outer ends of said levers; and means for advancing the collar on the shaft to release the latch levers.

24. In agrease gun as set forth in claim 28, said piston rod being tubular; and having diametrically disposed slots therein in way of said collar; and said means for mov ing the collar comprising a pin having an enlarged central portion transiixing said collar and engaging said slots; said central portion of the pin having a tapped bore therein; a screw shaft housed in the bore of the piston rod, and engaging the tapped bore; and a hand wheel on the outer end of said screw shaft for rotating same.

25. In a grease gun as set forth in claim 28, said piston rod being threaded, means for preventing rotation of said rod; and said means for advancing the piston rod comprising a ratchet wheel having a tapped bore mounted on said rod; a bearing on the end of said cylinder for said ratchet wheel; a second bearing for supporting the outer end of said rod; a ball thrust bearing interposed between said ratchet wheel and said second bearing; a lever pivoted opposite the ratchet wheel; and an arm pivoted on said lever and overlying the ratchet wheel, said arm having a non-circular bore in its outer end; and a reversible pawl mounted in said bore and engaging the ratchet wheel.

26. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 23, means for registering the amount of grease discharged from said gun, comprising ahousing having an openmg and an index mark at said opemng, a self-winding roller mounted in said housing; and a graduated tape wound on said roller and passing over suitably disposed rollers opposite said opening, the free end of said tape being connected to said piston; and a portion of the tape being visible through the opening.

27. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 28, a ring member bolted to the front side of said piston; an L-shaped annular packing interposed between the ring and piston and having its peripheral portion lying intermediate the cylinder and ring; said ring having an annular peripheral groove; a split piston ring in said groove; a plurality of radially disposed bores in said ring member communicating with said annular groove; and springs in said bores adapted to expand the piston ring.

28. In a grease gun, a cylinder, a piston rod, means for advancing said piston rod;

a plate-fixed on said rod Within the cylinder; a piston in said cylinder; resilient means interposed between said piston and plate; a tubular extension on said piston having a telescopic engagement with the inner end of said piston rod; means for limiting said telescopiomoveinent; said plate having diametrically disposed openings therein; diametrically disposed latch levers bivoted on said extension, the hoolr'ed ends of said levers being disposed'in alignment with their respective openings in said plate; means for yieldingly drawing the outer ends of said levers towards the axis otsaid cylinder, whereby when said levers enter said openin'gsthe piston will be locked to said plate; a collar slidably engaging said piston rod adjacent the ends of said latch-levers, and means for moving said collarto release the latch levers.

99. In a grease gun as set torth'in claim 28, said piston rod being tubular; andhav ing' diametrically disposed slots therein in Way of said collar; and said means for moving the collar'comprisinga pin having an enlarged central portion passing diametrically through said collar and engaging said slots, said central portionotthe pin having a t-appedbore therein; a screw shaft'housed in the bore of the piston-rod and engaging the tapped bore of sa'id pin; and a hand wheel on the outer end of said shaft for rotating "said shaft.

In a grease gun as set forth in claim 28, said piston rod being threaded, means for preventing rotation of said rod; and said means for advancing the piston rod comprising a ratchet Wheel having a tapped bore mounted on said rod; a b'earing on:

the end of said cylinder for-said ratchet Wheel; a second bearing for supporting the outer end of said rod; a ball thrust bearing interposed between said ratchet Wheelandsaid second bearing; a lever pivoted on-said lever and overlying the ratchet Wheel, saidar'm-h'aving a non-circular bore in its outer end; and a reversible pawl mounted in said bore and engaging the ratchet Wheel.-

31. In combination with a grease gun as set forth in claim 28, means for registering roller and passing over suitably disposed rollers opposite said opening, the free end of said tape being connected to said piston; and a portion of the tape being visible through said opening.

32. In combination with 'a grease gun as set forth in claim 28, a ring member bolted to thet'ront side of said piston; an L-shaped annular packing interposed between the ring and piston and having its peripheral portion lying intermediate the cylinder: and ring; said ring having an annular peripheral groove; a split piston ring in said groove; a plurality of radially disposed bores in said ling member communicating Withsaid annular groove; and springs in said bores adapted to expand the pistonring.

In testimony thatI claim the foregoing as my oWn I afiix my signature.

HARRY T. TAYLOR. 

